Defense:
9

Utility:
0

UNDERSTANDING OF THIS GUIDE

When my recommended builds have a 1,2, or a 3 in the notes, that means after you choose your start, (Start 1/2/3) you follow that number until mid game. Example: "Early game I chose (START 2)Aggressive+Cost efficient, I would then follow up to (EARLY 2) Early game. I would then choose All of the items to be bought in order.

About the Author!

I have been playing this game since early season one. Have I quit in between then and now? Of course, though I come back! I play a range of games, Sims 3, World of Warcraft, Runescape, and this, obviously. In LoL, I play positions in this order (NOT WITH THIS CHARACTER, THOUGH I DO USE XIN ZHAO) Mid>Top>Jung>ADC>Supp. I am very familiar with all of the lanes in Summoner's rift. I enjoy playing Vladimir, Leblanc, and Kassadin in most games that I play my favorite lane, mid.

Introduction to Xin Zhao

Your early game with any character is very important. Early game is when you are either fed, terrible, or something in between.

Xin Zhao specifically though, his early game is most important. Without an awesome early game, you cannot have a great late game. (Most of the time) Hence to why I focused a lot of this guide's flexibility toward the start of the game.

Xin Zhao is an amazing character, he has very high burst damage and low CD's. His ultimate move (R) is very useful in team-fights as well.

The start of the game

NOTE: IF YOU ARE SOLO VS. TWO IN TOP LANE, DO NOT LEASH THE JUNGLE FOR ANY REASON. Make mid do it. :-D

Your early game has a massive effect to how well your mid-late game plays out, sometimes you can get lucky and fix a mistake somehow, but generally you cannot. It'll be to late. So just so you don't have to go to those desperate measures, I focused most of my attention to setting you, as the reader up for your Start-Early game.

I personally LOVE using the boots with potions start. Although I sometimes do have to go with the other two depending on the circumstances. Recently, there has been an outburst of No-Jungle games, therefore, in the event of me vs. two, I usually go with Start 3.

The main thing is to not be dumb, KNOW YOUR ENEMY. If you don't know how an opponent usually plays, simply look them up on here! Otherwise, take the Start 3 build just in case.

At the start, I recommend taking ADACIOUS CHARGE (E) as your first ability. If you're smart you can get out a sticky situation by using this move on an enemy minion, or champion to get to safety. Also, a quick, and easy first blood. ALTHOUGH, If you're going 1v2 in top lane, I suggest choosing your BATTLE CRY (W) first, for the enhanced heal, and attack speed.

Your early game

Obviously, the best way to win a lane is high minion kills (CS), as doing so will substantially increase your gold-income which therefore means more items which then means more kills! So focus most of your efforts in last hitting the minions while casually poking the enemy, if possible.

Once you turn level 6, start being more aggressive toward your opponent(s), if it is safe to of course. After you opponent is attacked, signal your jungle or somebody to come gank for a certain kill/assist.

Let's get mean. (Mid game)

I consider mid game being when everyone is about level 8-9, and a turret is down. Time to hit them where it hurts. The jungle, and bot lane. In the jungle, simply take their blue/red on your convenience. Or tell someone to take it. But always leave one of the little monsters there. (Counter Jungling)

In bottom lane, just focus that ADC. If you can kill the support too, great! But focus the ADC most. If the ADC is fed, they will be a pain in your butt, and your team's butt. I recommend doing a 4 man gank of some sort. For a certain kill(s). Because in ranked, kills can be hard to come by, sadly.

Your teamwork

What I LOVE doing is pushing a lane while my other team mates are pushing another, if they need me, of course I'll be there, though if they're just dancing around occasionally poking the enemy team, I take off and push another lane.

Whenever I do that, I get as far away from the action as possible. (Ex. If my team is in bottom lane, I'll push top) The reasoning behind this is simple, a lot of tension and attention is in a place where you are not at, therefore it is creating oppurtunit(y/ies) to win the game.

Summary

Well you should know what to do by now. You're fed, your teams winning because of your shining glory among the opposing team, you're done!

I hope this guide has helped you. If you'd like to either criticize this guide, or suggest another for another character, please do. I plan on making another guide every two weeks or so, and I'd like to enhance your gameplay as much as possible.